Seat shell and integrated overhead storage bin

ABSTRACT

A lounge assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of an aircraft. The lounge assembly includes a first seat shell configured to at least partially surround a passenger seat, and an overhead storage bin assembly. The overhead storage bin assembly includes first and second posts configured to be secured to a floor of the aircraft, and an overhead bin housing supported by the first and second posts. The overhead bin housing includes at least a first overhead storage bin that is positioned generally above the first seat shell.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/516,586, filed Apr. 4, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/616,362, filed Mar. 27, 2012, which are both herein incorporated byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to passenger seating and storage in the interiorof passenger aircraft. In particular, the invention relates to a seatshell and an integrated overhead storage bin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercial aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 are typicallyconstructed from modular components, the size, weight and constructionof which are dictated by many considerations, including fuselagedimensions, aesthetic and safety-considerations. Many of theserequirements are imposed by law or regulation. Aircraft components, suchas overhead stowage compartments, seats, lavatories, galleys, lightingsystems, etc. are all required to function within strictly confinedspaces.

Manufacturers of aircraft are constantly refining interior aircraftdesigns to achieve more comfort and utility for passengers and crewwithin carrier-imposed restraints on cost, weight, maintenancedown-time, and safety. Commercial passenger aircraft generally includeoverhead luggage storage bins mounted from the ceiling of the aircraftover the passenger seats. These bins are designed to accommodate thesize, shape, and weight of passenger carry-on luggage.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Generally, the invention is laterally positioned personal overheadstorage space (such that it opens toward the front or rear of theaircraft) that is ultimately supported by the floor of an aircraft.Accordingly, in a broadest sense, an embodiment can include a singlepost, secured to the floor of the aircraft that positions an overheadstorage bin above a passenger seat. In another embodiment, the overheadstorage bin may be positioned over the passenger seat by the seat shell.The structure that supports the overhead bin may be one or posts, one ormore seat shells, walls, monuments, etc.

One of the purposes of the invention is to maximize the number of seatson an aircraft, particularly in a business or first class compartment(however, the invention can also be utilized in economy class), andprovide for convenient and easily accessible storage for passengers. Theconfiguration of seats, seat shell design, overhead bin design andconfiguration each contribute to achieving this purpose whilesimultaneously providing for passenger convenience, comfort and safety.

In a preferred embodiment, the overhead storage bins make more efficientuse of space in the aircraft interior (preferably eliminating closetsthat require dedicated floor space). In a preferred embodiment, theoverhead storage bins are accessible to each passenger without having toinvade another passenger's space. As shown in the drawings, the overheadstorage bins are placed over the passenger to create a more comfortable,enclosed space. If will be appreciated that the configuration of binnumbers, location and size are flexible and not a limitation on thepresent invention. For the designers of aircraft, the present inventionallows the bin to move with the seat, thereby freeing up the ability toarrange the seats as desired; and the passenger service unit can beplaced generally above the passenger and/or in the column that supportsthe overhead bin as more fully described below.

Overhead storage bin assemblies are well known in the art. For example,see U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,642 issued on Jan. 20, 1987, U.S. Pat. No.5,567,028 issued on Oct. 22, 1996, and U.S. Patent Publication No.2011/0253837, published on Oct. 20, 2011, the entireties of which arehereby incorporated by reference. Seat shells are also known in the art.For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,786 issued on Jan. 9, 2001, U.S.Pat. No. 7,419,214 issued on Sep. 2, 2008, and U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2009/0146004, published on Jun. 11, 2009, the entireties of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an aircraft that includes at least a fuselage having an innerside wail and a floor, at least a first seat having an upper portion, atleast a first laterally extending overhead storage bin positionedgenerally above the upper portion of the first seat, and supportstructure secured to the floor and supporting the first overhead storagebin. The first seat is secured to the floor and the first overheadstorage bin has an open and a closed configuration (see FIG. 2). Thefirst overhead storage bin opens toward the front or the rear of theaircraft. In a preferred embodiment, the aircraft also includes a secondseat with an upper portion and that is secured to the floor and isadjacent the first seat. The aircraft also includes a second laterallyextending overhead storage bin positioned generally above the upperportion of the second seat and adjacent the first overhead storage bin,and support structure secured to the floor and supporting the secondoverhead storage bin. The second overhead storage bin has an open and aclosed configuration and it opens toward the front or the rear of theaircraft. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second overheadstorage bins are not secured to the inner side wall of the aircraft.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a lounge assembly configured to be positioned in the interiorof an aircraft. The lounge assembly includes a first seat shellconfigured to at least partially surround a passenger seat, and anoverhead storage bin assembly. The overhead storage bin assemblyincludes first and second posts configured to be secured to a floor ofthe aircraft, and an overhead bin housing supported by the first andsecond posts. The overhead bin housing includes at least a firstoverhead storage bin that is positioned generally above the first seatshell. In a preferred embodiment, the overhead bin housing includes asecond overhead storage bin positioned on one side of the first overheadstorage bin and a third overhead storage bin positioned on the oppositeside of the first overhead storage bin. When the lounge assembly ispositioned in the interior of an aircraft, the first, second and thirdstorage bins face forward. Preferably, the lounge assembly includes asecond seat shell positioned on one side of the first seat shell and athird seat shell positioned on the opposite side of the seat shell bin.The second overhead storage bin is positioned generally above the secondseat shell and the third overhead storage bin is positioned generallyabove the third seat shell.

In an embodiment, the overhead bin housing includes fourth, fifth andsixth overhead storage bin assemblies, such that when the loungeassembly is positioned in the interior of an aircraft, the fourth, fifthand sixth storage bins face aft. And, the lounge assembly includesfourth, fifth and sixth seat shells. The fourth overhead storage bin ispositioned generally above the fourth seat shell, the fifth overheadstorage bin is positioned generally above the fifth seat shell, and thesixth overhead storage bin is positioned generally above the sixth seatshell.

In a preferred embodiment, the lounge assembly includes first and secondpassenger service units. The first passenger service unit is positionedbetween the first and second overhead storage bins and the secondpassenger service unit is positioned between the first and thirdoverhead storage bins. Preferably, the passenger service units includeat least one gasper, and a passenger reading light is mounted on atleast one of the first and second posts.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an overhead storage bin assembly configured to be positioned inthe interior of an aircraft that includes first and second postsconfigured to be secured to a floor of the aircraft, and an overhead binhousing supported by the first and second posts. The overhead binhousing includes at least a first overhead storage bin. When theoverhead storage bin assembly is positioned in the interior of anaircraft, the first overhead storage bin is positioned generally above apassenger seat.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of positioning overhead storage bins within anaircraft interior. The method includes providing a first group of seatsand a first group of overhead storage bins, positioning the first groupof seats within the aircraft interior such that each of the first groupof seats face forwardly, and positioning the first group of overheadstorage bins within the aircraft such that each of the first group ofoverhead storage bins is positioned above one of the first group ofseats. The first group of overhead storage bins each face forwardly. Ina preferred embodiment, the aircraft interior has a floor and aninterior side wall, the first group of seats are each secured to thefloor, and the first group of overhead storage bins are supported abovethe first group of seats by support structure and are not secured to theinterior side wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes providing asecond group of seats and a second group of overhead storage bins,positioning the second group of seats within the aircraft interior suchthat each of the second group of seats face aft, and positioning thesecond group of overhead storage bins within the aircraft such that eachof the second group of overhead storage bins is positioned above one ofthe second group of seats. The second group of overhead storage binseach face aft. Preferably, the aircraft interior has a floor and aninterior side wall, the first group of seats and the second group ofseats are each secured to the floor, the first group of overhead storagebins are supported above the first group of seats by support structureand are not secured to the interior side wall and the second group ofoverhead storage bins are supported above the second group of seats bysupport structure and are not secured to the interior side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of an aircraft first classcabin showing a series of lounge assemblies in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a overhead bin assembly in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the overhead bin assemblyof FIG. 2, with one of the overhead storage bins removed;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of one of the lounge assemblies ofFIG. 1 with a portion of the seat shells shown in cross section;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational cross section of a portion of the overheadbin assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan cross section of a portion of the overhead binassembly of FIG. 2 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of the overhead bin assembly of FIG.2, with the posts in cross-section;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a portion of the interior of an aircraftshowing a plurality of lounge assemblies in schematic;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of the interior of an aircrafttaken along the box labeled 9 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one of the lounge assemblies of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known or conventional details are not described in orderto avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodimentin the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references tothe same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of theembodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the-disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted.

It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than oneway. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for anyone or more of the terms discussed herein. No special significance is tobe placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein.Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or moresynonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examplesanywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussedherein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit thescope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term.Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given inthis specification.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions, will control.

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,”“bottom,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” “aft,” “forward,”“rear,” “end” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of descriptionand refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures.It should be understood that any orientation of the components describedherein is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting thesame, FIGS. 1-10 show a first embodiment of a lounge assembly 10 thatincludes a floor mounted overhead bin assembly 12 and a plurality ofseat shells 24. FIG. 1 shows a series of lounge assemblies 10 in thefirst class cabin of an aircraft. The two forward lounge assemblies 10include a forward facing suite 14 and an aft facing suite 16, and thetwo aft lounge assemblies 10 a include only a forward facing suite 14.For simplicity, most of the description herein focuses on the loungeassembly 10 with both forward and aft facing suites 14 and 16, whichincludes six seats 18 and six overhead storage bins 20. However, it willbe understood that the lounge assembly 10 a with only a forward facingsuite 14 is essentially half of lounge assembly 10 and includes threeseats 18 and three overhead storage bins 20, and typically backs up to awall. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. Inanother embodiment, the aircraft may include a plurality of loungeassemblies 10 a with only a forward facing suite 14.

In a preferred embodiment, the forward facing suite 14 and the aftfacing suite 16 each include three seats 18, for a total of six seats 18and six overhead storage bins 20, thereby providing each passenger withtheir own overhead storage bin 18. In particular, the invention iscontemplated for use with seating and overhead storage bins on passengeraircraft. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention andthe lounge assembly 10 can be used in other vehicles, such as a bus,automobile, train or the like.

As is shown in FIG. 2, the overhead storage bin assembly 10 includesposts 22 that support the overhead storage bins 20 and associatedcomponents (described below). In a preferred embodiment, the posts 22include attachment feet 23 that are secured to the existing seat trackin an aircraft. However, this is not a limitation and the posts 22, andor attachment feet 23 can be mounted to the aircraft at a point otherthan the seat track.

In a preferred embodiment, each seat 18 is disposed within a seat shell24. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the forward facing suite 14 and the aftfacing suite 16 each include three seat shells 24 for at least partiallysurrounding each seat 18. In a preferred embodiment, the posts 22 aresecured to the seat shells 24 using mechanical fasteners, such asscrews, bolts or the like. In another embodiment, the posts 22 can besecured to the seat shells 24 using rivets, adhesive or any otherfastening means known in the art. In another embodiment, the seat shells24 are not secured to the posts 22. In another embodiment, the posts 22can be omitted and the seat shells 24 can include high enough walls thatthe overhead storage bins 20 are secured to and supported by the seatshell(s) 24 (which are secured to the floor). It will be understood thatforward facing means that within an aircraft, the overhead storage bins20 open toward the front of the aircraft and passengers seated in theseats 18 within a seat shell 24 face the front of the aircraft. It willbe understood that aft facing means that within an aircraft, theoverhead storage bins 20 open toward the rear of the aircraft andpassengers seated in the seats 18 within a seat shell 24 face the rearof the aircraft. In other words, the overhead storage bins 20 arepositioned laterally across the fuselage of the aircraft, as is shown inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show plan views of the interior layout of an aircraftutilizing a plurality of lounge assemblies 10 of the present invention.As shown, the arrangement of the lounge assemblies 10 and 10 a and theseparation between them provides a single longitudinal main aisle 26 andperpendicular cross aisles 28. The cross aisles 28 provide access forpassengers seated in either the aft facing suite 16 or forward facingsuite 14 adjacent to the cross aisle 28. Therefore, when passengersenter the cabin, they step into their assigned seat shell before placingtheir luggage 30 in their personal overhead storage bin 20, instead ofholding up the other boarding passengers. For example, as shown in FIG.7, when the passenger seated in seat 1F enters, in order to get to hisoverhead storage bin 20, he must step into his seat shell 24. Thisprevents him from standing in the main aisle 26 and holding up thepassengers boarding behind him.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a single lounge assembly 10 andillustrates a number of the different features thereof. For descriptivepurposes, the five seats that are shown are labeled 1D, 1E, 1F, 2D and2E. In a preferred embodiment, the lounge assembly 10 includes privacydividers 32 that raise and lower to provide privacy for adjacentpassengers. As will be appreciated, each row of three seats preferablyincludes two privacy dividers 32. As is shown in FIG. 10, the privacydivider 32 between seats 1D and 1E is up and the privacy divider 32between seats 1E and 1F is down. In a preferred embodiment, the privacydividers 32 are housed in a slot 34 and can be raised and lowered byhand. In another embodiment, the privacy dividers 32 can be automated.In another embodiment, each seat can include a privacy divider 32. I.e.,the seat adjacent the main aisle 26 can also include a privacy divider32.

It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that anytype of seat is within the present invention. Preferably the seatsinclude an upper portion for supporting the passenger's back and a seatportion. In a preferred embodiment, the seats 18 are fully reclinableseats that allow a passenger to lay prone for sleeping, as shown in seat1D. Preferably, the seat shell 24 includes a support 36 at the endopposite the seat 18. The support 36 can be used for supporting thesleeping passengers feet in seat 1D or can be used to support a sittingpassenger, as shown in seat 2D. With this feature, two passengers cansit within the same seat shell 24 on both the seat 18 and the support36. In a preferred embodiment, the support 36 is foldable or pivotablesuch that if can be raised and lowered or at least a part of it can beraised or lowered or otherwise stowed so that it is out of the way whennot in use.

As shown in FIG. 10, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, thelounge assembly 10 can also include tray tables 38, docks 40 forelectronic devices, such as portable music players, cell phones,tablets, etc. and video/television monitors 42 that are pivotable (seeseat 2D vs. seat 2E). In a preferred embodiment, the tray table 38 canbe swiveled or pivoted forwardly (within a horizontal plane) so that thepassenger can exit the seat shell 24 when the tray table 38 is deployedand out of its stowage compartment in the side wail 48. However, none ofthese features are a limitation on the present invention and they can beomitted. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat other features and amenities can be included, and such features andamenities are within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, as is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the seatshells 24 each include a front wall 44, rear wall 46, two side walls 48and an entrance 50. It should be understood that the front and rearwalls are described as front and rear herein with respect to thepassenger seated therein. It will be appreciated that the side walls 48between the seats can be separate pieces that are secured together orcan be a unitary piece. As will appreciated by those of skill in theart, the seat shells 24 can include other known features and components,such as armrests, seat belts, audio/video controls, storagecompartments, pockets and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, the overhead bin assembly 12 will now bedescribed. As discussed above, lounge assembly 10 includes six seats 18and six overhead storage bins 20 and lounge assembly 10 a includes threeseats 18 and three overhead storage bins 20. Likewise, overhead binassembly 12 includes six overhead storage bins and overhead bin assembly12 a includes three overhead storage bins. For simplicity, thedescription herein focuses on overhead bin assembly 12. However, it willbe understood that overhead bin assembly 12 a is essentially half ofoverhead bin assembly 12.

As is shown in FIG. 2, overhead bin assembly 12 includes two posts 22that support the overhead bins 20 and the necessary componentstherefore. In a preferred embodiment, the posts 22 include struts 51 toprovide further columnar support and to help prevent the overhead binassembly 12 from tipping over. Generally, as is best shown in FIG. 6,overhead bin assembly 12 includes six overhead storage bins 20 with fourpassenger service units 52 disposed between overhead storage bins 20.The passenger service units 52 include gaspers 54, masks 56, a cover 57for the masks, and oxygen units 58. In another embodiment, the passengerservice units 52 can include passenger reading lights. However, in theembodiment shown in the figures, the passenger reading lights 60 aremounted on the posts 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The passenger service units52 can also include other components or features known in the art, suchas flight attendant call buttons, etc. In a preferred embodiment, thewiring, air ducts and other components necessary for the operation ofthe passenger service unit components and lights, run up and through theposts 22. In another embodiment, they can extend from the inner sidewall into the outboard most end wall.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 6, overhead bin assembly 12 includes an upperhousing 62, lower housing 64, end walls 66, passenger service unitcovers 68, dividers 70, and a center wall 72 (this entire structure isreferred to herein as the overhead bin housing 71). It will beunderstood that center wall 72 can be a single piece, as shown in FIG. 6or two separate pieces (as shown in FIG. 7) secured to one another orbacked up to one another. In other words, the entire overhead binassembly 12 can be constructed as one unit or it can be constructed astwo separate overhead bin assemblies 12 a placed back to back (whethersecured to one another or not).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in a preferred embodiment, the post 22includes two extension members 74 that extend upwardly into the interiorof the overhead bin housing 71 on either side of the center wail 72. Inother words, the extension members 74 define a space therebetween, whichreceives center wall 72. The extension members 74 are secured to thecenter wall 72 to provide support for the overhead bin housing 71 andoverhead storage bins 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the passengerservice unit cover 68 includes a cut out 84 therein in which a portionof the post 22 is received. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower housing 54includes a number of different pieces. However, this is not a limitationon the present invention. The passenger service unit 52 is housed ordefined by the passenger service unit cover 68, a divider 70 on eitherside, and the upper housing 62. In another embodiment, a passengerservice unit 52 can be located adjacent the end wall 66.

As shown in FIG. 6, each overhead storage bin 20 includes a bin housing78, side walls 80 and a latch system 82 (see FIG. 2). In a preferredembodiment, the outside bins include clearance members 76 that provideclearance with the posts 22 when the bins 20 are opened and closed. Theclearance members 76 extend into the interior of the outside overheadstorage bins 20 and are generally arc shaped.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that ail the terms used herein aredescriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications,and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will beunderstood that generally, the invention is laterally positionedpersonal overhead storage space (such that it opens toward the front orrear of the aircraft) that is supported by the floor of an aircraft. Thestructure that supports the overhead bin may be one or posts, one ormore seat shells, walls, monuments, etc. Accordingly, in a broadestsense, an embodiment can include a single post, secured to the floor ofthe aircraft that positions an overhead storage bin above a passenger.In another embodiment, the overhead storage bin may be positioned overthe passenger seat by the seat shell. In another embodiment, the loungeassembly can comprise a single seat or single seat shell and seat withtwo posts that extend up to and support a single overhead storage bin.In other embodiments, the overhead bin can be supported from the floorand also from above, to provide extra support. The number of bins andnumber of posts is not a limitation on the present invention.Furthermore, the type of aircraft or plane is not a limitation on thepresent invention. The aircraft shown in the figures is a wide bodyaircraft. The present invention can also be used with a narrow bodyaircraft. For example, in a narrow body aircraft, the lounge assembliesmay only include two seat shells and two overhead storage bins on eachside of the aircraft.

In an embodiment, the seat shells can include walls that extend highenough to support the overhead bin above the seat. The seat shell issecured to the floor of the fuselage of the aircraft. Therefore, theoverhead bin is ultimately secured to the floor of the aircraft.

In another embodiment, the seat shells 24 can be omitted and theoverhead bin assemblies 12 can be used with stand alone seats 18.Furthermore, the type of seat shell 24 is not a limitation on thepresent invention. It will be understood that the bin does not have tobe a pivot bin. It can be a moving bin or other type of articulatingbin, as is known in the art.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling ofconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall referto this application as a whole and not to any particular portions ofthis application. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or pluralnumber may also include the plural or singular number respectively. Theword “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of thefollowing interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, allof the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for thedisclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples:alternative implementations may employ differing values, measurements orranges.

The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. Any measurements or dimensions described orused herein are merely exemplary and not a limitation on the presentinvention. Other measurements or dimensions are within the scope of theinvention.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, includingany that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can bemodified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and conceptsof the various references described above to provide yet fartherembodiments of the disclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of theabove Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments. While the abovedescription describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, anddescribes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the aboveappears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details ofthe system may vary considerably in its implementation details, whilestill being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As notedabove, particular terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which thatterminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the followingclaims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above DetailedDescription of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines suchterms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses notonly the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways ofpracticing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of thedisclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only oneaspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, other aspects may likewise be embodied as ameans-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied ina computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35U.S.C. §112, ¶6 will include the words “means for”). Accordingly, theapplicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing theapplication to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects ofthe disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aircraft comprising a fuselage having an innerside wall and a floor, first and second seats each having an upperportion, wherein the first and second seats are secured to the floor, afirst laterally extending overhead storage bin positioned generallyabove the upper portion of the first seat, and a second laterallyextending overhead storage bin positioned generally above the upperportion of the second seat and adjacent the first overhead storage bin,and support structure secured to the floor and supporting the first andsecond overhead storage bins, wherein at least a portion of the supportstructure is positioned between the first and second seats, wherein thefirst and second overhead storage bins have an open and a closedconfiguration, and wherein the first and second overhead storage binsopens toward the front or the rear of the aircraft.
 2. The aircraft ofclaim 1 wherein the support structure is not secured to the inner sidewall.
 3. The aircraft of claim 1 wherein the first and second overheadstorage bins are not secured to the inner side wall.
 4. A loungeassembly configured to be positioned in the interior of an aircraft, thelounge assembly comprising: first and second seat shells that are eachconfigured to at least partially surround a passenger seat, and anoverhead storage bin assembly that includes at least a first postconfigured to be secured to a floor of the aircraft, wherein the firstpost is positioned generally between the first and second seat shells,and an overhead bin housing supported by the first post, wherein theoverhead bin housing includes at least first and second overhead storagebins that are positioned generally above the first and second seatshells, respectively.
 5. The lounge assembly of claim 4 wherein theoverhead bin housing is supported by a second post and includes a thirdoverhead storage bin, whereby when the lounge assembly is positioned inthe interior of an aircraft, the first, second and third storage binsface forward.
 6. The lounge assembly of claim 5 further comprising athird seat shell, wherein the third overhead storage bin is positionedgenerally above the third seat shell, and wherein the second post ispositioned generally between the second and third seat shells.
 7. Thelounge assembly of claim 6 wherein the overhead bin housing includesfourth, fifth and sixth overhead storage bin assemblies, whereby whenthe lounge assembly is positioned in the interior of an aircraft, thefourth, fifth and sixth storage bins face aft.
 8. The lounge assembly ofclaim 7 further comprising fourth, fifth and sixth seat shells, whereinthe fourth overhead storage bin is positioned generally above the fourthseat shell, the fifth overhead storage bin is positioned generally abovethe fifth seat shell, and the sixth overhead storage bin is positionedgenerally above the sixth seat shell.
 9. The lounge assembly of claim 5wherein the overhead bin housing includes first and second passengerservice units, wherein the first passenger service unit is positionedbetween the first and second overhead storage bins and the secondpassenger service unit is positioned between the second and thirdoverhead storage bins.
 10. The lounge assembly of claim 9 wherein thepassenger service units include at least one gasper, and wherein apassenger reading light is mounted on at least one of the first andsecond posts.
 11. An overhead storage bin assembly configured to bepositioned in the interior of an aircraft, the overhead storage binassembly comprising: first and second posts configured to be secured toa floor of the aircraft, and an overhead bin housing supported by thefirst and second posts, wherein the overhead bin housing includes atleast a first overhead storage bin, whereby when the overhead storagebin assembly is positioned in the interior of an aircraft, the firstoverhead storage bin is positioned generally above a first passengerseat, and at least one of the first and second posts is positionedbetween the first passenger seat and a second passenger seat.
 12. Theoverhead storage bin assembly of claim 11 wherein the overhead binhousing includes a second overhead storage bin positioned on one side ofthe first overhead storage bin and a third overhead storage binpositioned on the opposite side of the first overhead storage bin,wherein the overhead storage bin housing includes a lower portion, andwherein the first and second posts extend downwardly from the lowerportion, whereby when the overhead storage bin assembly is positioned inthe interior of an aircraft, the first, second and third storage binsface forward.
 13. The overhead storage bin assembly of claim 12 whereinthe overhead bin housing includes fourth, fifth and sixth overheadstorage bin assemblies, whereby when the overhead storage bin assemblyis positioned in the interior of an aircraft, the fourth, fifth andsixth storage bins face aft.
 14. The overhead storage bin assembly ofclaim 13 wherein the overhead bin housing includes first, second, thirdand fourth passenger service units, wherein the first passenger serviceunit is positioned between the first and second overhead storage bins,the second passenger service unit is positioned between the first andthird overhead storage bins, the third passenger service unit ispositioned between the fourth and fifth overhead storage bins and thefourth passenger service unit is positioned between the fourth and sixthoverhead storage bins.
 15. The overhead storage bin assembly of claim 12wherein the overhead bin housing includes first and second passengerservice units, wherein the first passenger service unit is positionedbetween the first and second overhead storage bins and the secondpassenger service unit is positioned between the first and thirdoverhead storage bins.
 16. The overhead storage bin assembly of claim 15wherein the passenger service units include at least one gasper, andwherein a passenger reading light is mounted on at least one of thefirst and second posts.
 17. A method of positioning overhead storagebins within an aircraft interior, wherein the aircraft interior has afloor and an interior side wall, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first group of seats that are each secured to the floor anda first group of overhead storage bins, positioning the first group ofseats within the aircraft interior such that each of the first group ofseats face forwardly, and positioning the first group of overheadstorage bins within the aircraft such that each of the first group ofoverhead storage bins is positioned above one of the first group ofseats, wherein the first group of overhead storage bins each faceforwardly, wherein the first group of overhead storage bins aresupported above the first group of seats by support structure that issecured to the floor and is not secured to the interior side wall, andwherein at least a portion of the support structure is located betweentwo adjacent seats within the first group of seats.
 18. A method ofpositioning overhead storage bins within an aircraft interior, whereinthe aircraft interior has a floor and an interior side wall, the methodcomprising the steps of: providing a first group of seats that are eachsecured to the floor and a first group of overhead storage bins,positioning the first group of seats within the aircraft interior suchthat each of the first group of seats face forwardly, and positioningthe first group of overhead storage bins within the aircraft such thateach of the first group of overhead storage bins is positioned above oneof the first group of seats, wherein the first group of overhead storagebins each face forwardly, wherein the first group of overhead storagebins are supported above the first group of seats by support structurethat is secured to the floor and is not secured to the interior sidewall, providing a second group of seats that are each secured to thefloor and a second group of overhead storage bins, positioning thesecond group of seats within the aircraft interior such that each of thesecond group of seats face aft, and positioning the second group ofoverhead storage bins within the aircraft such that each of the secondgroup of overhead storage bins is positioned above one of the secondgroup of seats, wherein the second group of overhead storage bins eachface aft, wherein the second group of overhead storage bins aresupported above the second group of seats by the same support structurethat supports the first group of overhead storage bins.
 19. The methodof claim 18 wherein the first group of overhead storage bins are notsecured to the interior side wall and the second group of overheadstorage bins are not secured to the interior side wall.